Is There Turkey Broth? How to Make Your Own Delicious and Nutritious Turkey Broth

Turkey broth is a savory, protein-rich liquid made by simmering turkey bones and meat in water with vegetables and herbs. It forms the basis for many classic soups and stews and can be used as a substitute for chicken or vegetable broth. But is turkey broth readily available to purchase in stores? Let’s take a closer look at what turkey broth is, its benefits, and how to easily make your own at home.

What is Turkey Broth?

Turkey broth is made by simmering the bones meat skin and connective tissue of a turkey in water. This long simmering time allows the nutrients and flavors to be extracted from the turkey parts into the cooking liquid. Turkey wings, drumsticks, necks and whole carcasses leftover from roasting make excellent broth ingredients.

The resulting turkey broth is rich, golden and full-bodied with subtle turkey flavor It has high amounts of protein, minerals like potassium and magnesium, and collagen from the turkey bones and connective tissue. This makes turkey broth more nutritious than plain water when used as the cooking liquid or base for soups, stews, stuffings, risottos and gravies

The Benefits of Turkey Broth

There are many excellent reasons to make and use turkey broth:

• Uses up leftover turkey parts Turkey wings, necks drumsticks and the whole carcass can be transformed into broth instead of discarded after the holiday feast. This reduces food waste.

• Economical: Making broth at home costs just pennies compared to store-bought. Plus you can make quarts at a time and freeze for later use.

• Higher nutrition: The collagen from turkey bones and connective tissue makes broth more nutritious than water. The minerals released into the broth are easily absorbed by the body. Store-bought broths often contain additives and preservatives.

• Adds flavor: Using broth instead of water instantly boosts the flavor of soups, stews, stuffings, grains and more. The savory umami taste makes everything taste better.

• Sub for chicken broth: Turkey broth can be used in place of chicken broth. The milder turkey flavor works well in most recipes.

Is Turkey Broth Available in Stores?

Pre-made turkey broth can sometimes be found in grocery stores, often around the Thanksgiving holiday when whole turkeys are popular. But it is not as widely available or consistently stocked as chicken and beef broths. The limited availability makes store-bought turkey broth expensive when you can find it.

Grocery stores typically carry chicken, beef and vegetable broth year-round. So if you need broth for cooking, chicken broth can be easily substituted for turkey broth in any recipe. But for the best flavor and cost savings, making turkey broth at home is simple and worth the minimal effort.

How to Make Turkey Broth at Home

Making turkey broth is as easy as letting the turkey parts simmer away on the stovetop for a few hours while you do other tasks. Here is an overview of the basic process:

Ingredients Needed

• Turkey wings, necks, drumsticks or a whole roasted carcass
• Cold water to cover
• Aromatic vegetables like onion, carrots, celery
• Fresh herbs like parsley or thyme
• Spices like black peppercorns or bay leaves

Steps for Making Turkey Broth

1. Place turkey parts in a large pot and add enough cold water to cover completely. Bring to a boil over high heat.

2. Reduce heat to low and skim off any foam that rises to the top. Add vegetables, herbs and spices.

3. Gently simmer for 2-4 hours. Longer simmering extracts more gelatin and nutrients from the bones.

4. Strain the broth through a mesh strainer into a large bowl or pot. Discard solids.

5. Chill broth completely in the refrigerator. The fat will rise to the top and solidify for easy removal.

6. Store broth in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for months.

And that’s all there is to it! With just a few basic ingredients and minimal hands-on time, you can have quarts of rich, homemade turkey broth ready for use in your favorite recipes.

Tips for the Best Turkey Broth

Follow these tips for clear, full-flavored turkey broth every time:

• Start with cold water – Hot water can make the broth cloudy. Cold water helps extract the collagen.

• Simmer gently – Barely bubbling or 180°F to 200°F keeps the broth clear. Boiling can emulsify the fat into the broth.

• Skim the foam – Impurities will rise to the top early in cooking. Skim for a cleaner broth.

• Use fresh herbs – Dried herbs can make the broth bitter. Fresh parsley, thyme and bay leaves are best.

• Roast the bones – Roasting bones and meat before simmering adds deeper flavor.

• Add vinegar – A splash of vinegar helps extract nutrients from the bones into the broth.

• Strain well – Use a fine-mesh strainer to remove all solids and particles for a crystal clear broth.

Recipes Using Turkey Broth

Homemade turkey broth shines in these delicious recipes:

• Turkey Noodle Soup – Classic noodle soup with shredded turkey, carrots, onions, celery and noodles or rice.

• Turkey and Wild Rice Soup – A creamy, comforting soup with turkey, wild rice and veggies.

• Turkey Pot Pie – Tender turkey and vegetables topped with a flaky crust.

• Turkey and Dumplings – Fluffy dumplings are simmered in a thick turkey stew.

• Caldo Verde Soup – Hearty Portuguese soup with turkey, potatoes, kale and chorizo.

• Risotto – Creamy rice cooked in turkey broth instead of the usual chicken broth.

• Gravy – Make the most flavorful gravy by using concentrated turkey broth as the base.

• Stuffing – Infuse stuffing or dressing with moisture and flavor by using turkey broth.

Any recipe that calls for chicken or vegetable broth can be made with your homemade turkey broth instead for maximum flavor.

While pre-made turkey broth can sometimes be found in grocery stores around the holidays, the limited availability and cost makes homemade the best option for most cooks. Simmering turkey wings, bones and scraps transforms throw-away parts into quarts of nutritious, protein-rich broth for pennies. With a few basic ingredients and hands-off cooking time, you can easily make and freeze turkey broth to have on hand for all your cooking needs. Soups, stews, gravies and more are instantly elevated with the use of homemade turkey broth. Give it a try with your next leftover turkey!